Sources

Serving Size Information

Health experts recommend an adult on a 2,000-calorie-per-day diet eat at least 2 ½ “cup-equivalents” of vegetables every day. People such as physically active adult men taking in 3,000 or more calories per day, should eat at least 4 “cup-equivalents” of vegetables per day.

The size of “cup-equivalents” depends on the vegetable: a 1/2 cup portion of green beans, or a 1 cup portion of raw spinach each counts as ½ cup-equivalent. Most people who eat vegetables three times per day will end up eating three or more “cup-equivalents” per day.

Americans on average eat only about half of as many servings of vegetables as health experts recommend.
Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020, eighth edition. A closer look at current intakes and recommended shifts, available here

More than four in five Americans do not eat enough vegetables, making veggies the most under-consumed of all recommended foods.
Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020, eighth edition. Current eating patterns in the United States, available here

In the Rapides Foundation Service Area, according to a survey in 2013, only 30% of adults eat three or more servings of vegetables a day.
The Rapides Foundation. Community Health Needs Assessment, available here.

The leading causes of death are heart disease, stroke, and cancer – all diseases that eating more vegetables may prevent.
The Rapides Foundation. Community Health Needs Assessment, available here.

Rates of heart disease, cancer, and stroke are higher in Louisiana than in the United States as a whole.
The Rapides Foundation. Community Health Needs Assessment, available here.

People such as physically active adult men taking in 3,000 or more calories a day should eat at least 4 “cup-equivalents” of vegetables per day.
Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020, eighth edition. Appendix 3. USDA food patterns: Healthy U.S.-Style eating pattern, available here

The size of “cup-equivalents” depends on the vegetable: a 1/2 cup portion of green beans, or a 1 cup portion of raw spinach each counts as ½ cup-equivalent. Most people who eat vegetables three times per day will end up eating three or more “cup-equivalents” per day.
Moore LV, Dodd KW et al. Using behavioral risk factor surveillance system data to estimate the percentage of the population meeting US department of agriculture food patterns fruit and vegetable intake recommendations. Am J Epidemiol 2015;181:979-988.

Each of the vegetable subgroups contributes different combinations of nutrients, making it important to eat veggies from all the subgroups.
Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020, eighth edition. Food Groups, available here